Folding Saws and Take-Down Saws: A Discussion

k_estela

k_estela

Co-Moderator, Wilderness and Survival Skills Forum
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I use my folding and take-down saws all the time. I find it to be essential gear for the woodsman. I've owned folding saws and take-down saws of every size and shape. I prefer sawing to chopping as it doesn't waste as much wood as hacking through a piece of wood and it is much safer when fatigued. It also makes the prepping of wood for splitting a cinch.

While saws make the woodsman's life easier, they are not all created the same and some are better suited for extended use than others. Here is one quick observation I want to throw out to generate thought and discussion. Hopefully this thread will expand on itself and become one of the "go to" threads for the sawyer.

Folding vs. Take-Down Saws and Fatigue

My Bahco Laplander saw unfolds and locks in place much like a large pocket knife. My Sven Saw is assembled and taken down utilizing a few parts. Each is an excellent tool and well-suited for woods use. However, I personally find my Bahco a better choice for the occasional cutting task and the Sven a saw for longer durations. Why? Grip angle and ergonomics.

Holding a folding saw puts a lot of stress on the wrist. It bends it out of alignment with the rest of the arm and weakens it. Think of throwing a punch. What angle is your wrist held? It certainly is not bent and the wrist is as straight as an arrow. Now consider the alignment of a take-down saw. The wrist is straight and the arm is pushed and pulled in a manner that mirrors the movement of a good stiff punch.

For this reason, I tend to carry my Bahco for light tasks and a Sven Saw or full-sized bow saw for extended cutting. I also don't rely on my SAK saw for any lengthy cutting.

Hope this quick write up on grip angle when sawing helps steer you guys and gals towards the correct saw choice.
 
Kev ... I keep a pruning saw in the back of my wagon along with the recovery gear and it gets used every camping trip. Mostly for cutting firewood that I can't snap ... ha some of the bits I put in the fork of a tree and lever it to snap off bits and they bend and throw me backwards :D thats when I hope the kids arn't watching,, the saw sorts out those bits. Then theres the bits that I hold like a baseball bat and wack onto a rock ... it doesn't break and the vivrations go through to my toenails ... kids always seem to see those ones,, saw fixes them ... not the kids ... the bits of wood ;)
Then when I walking round getting fire wood and I've gotta do a little bush bash and use the saw like a machete ... woww .... idea - long saw blade on one side and machete on other ... probably already thought of.
I have been in the lawnmower shops and looked at the high quality folding saws ... $60 + ... I dont think so although very tempting. The one I use costs $5 and still going strong ... still want a good one though.
I'll watch the progress of this thread Kev.
 
I recently purchased a folding saw from Lowes. Its a Corona clipper. I know its not a silky or whatever, but its been a damn good saw. It has a nice grip angle on it, w/ differant options and "feels" depending on where you hold the handle. Blade is sharp, and it is well made. Cuts on the pull stroke too, so it dosent bind up easy. Lifetime warranty.:thumbup:

Check out the angle of the handle....
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=10452-63731-RS7265D&lpage=none

I love a saw. I dont even own an axe, although I am "axe curious". One saw I used to have was a Gerber exchange a blade. It broke very quickly:mad:, and was just overall a piece of crap IMO. Id stay clear of that one.:thumbdn:

One saw Id like to try is one of the fiskers sliding saws. However, a Silky or the Fiskers will have to wait till the Corona craps out.

I also have a wood handle one made by tru-temper. It was cheapo, and seems to be holding up well, but I havent really put it through its paces yet.:confused:

I like the SAK saws for notching trap parts, and general utility, but they arent effective for long term use. Really get the hotspots. I also like the small opinel ones. They are a nice smaller saw. :thumbup:

Anywho, my 2 cents on saws....:o
 
interesting observations Kev, i agree with you.

Jake, i have the fixed blade version of that saw, with a 14" blade. you can hold the handle almost perpendicular to the blade, which makes it quite comfortable. that's a good saw when i feel like packing it in...
 
I'll second the Sven Saw. They are extemely light and work well.

Another nice thing about saws is they are much safer to use than an axe, especially in the dark!

I have been looking for a large bow saw for use at the house if anyone has any recommendations.
 
Simon, I have seen those. They are nice. I think these are a great value in a saw...:thumbup:
 
Jake - I have that same saw and, for the price, it is an awesome saw.

I agree with the SAK and LM saws, they are great for small tasks but will give you hot spots pretty quickly.
 
I feel the same way.

If I think I might need a saw, I pack the folding saw. If I know I'm going to need a saw, I pack the 24" Trail Blazer take-down buck saw

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
j williams said:
I love a saw. I dont even own an axe, although I am "axe curious". One saw I used to have was a Gerber exchange a blade. It broke very quickly:mad:, and was just overall a piece of crap IMO. Id stay clear of that one.:thumbdn:
Click to expand...


How long ago was that?

The saw I have from gerber is still going, its 4-5 years old, same blade and has been used ALOT.

I know the new ones however are a little gimmic looking.
 
Oh, I bought that thing at walmart around 3 years ago.......

It broke last summer, the first time i actually put it through its paces. I was sawing fell cedar with it, bout the diameter of my wrist. It came apart at the front of the handle where the button is to unlock it/ change blades.
 
myright said:
Jake - I have that same saw and, for the price, it is an awesome saw.

I agree with the SAK and LM saws, they are great for small tasks but will give you hot spots pretty quickly.
Click to expand...

Yeah, so does Tonym... :thumbup:

Hes actually the one who told me about it. Glad there seems to be some satisfied users!!:thumbup:
 
I saw a product on the internet the other day that looked like the open chain from a chainsaw with a handle on each end. The video demo of someone cutting a tree with the saw made it seem like an awesome, efficient and safe tool. Does anyone know what that is? Anyone have any experience with it? It wraps up into a small carrying case and seems like it would be perfect to fit in a small pack.
 
j williams said:
Yeah, so does Tonym... :thumbup:

Hes actually the one who told me about it. Glad there seems to be some satisfied users!!:thumbup:
Click to expand...


I have had the opportunity to use Tony’s Corona saw on several occasions,

…I was impressed by how well it works. :thumbup: :thumbup:



"If you're not living on the edge, …you're taking up too much space."

Big Mike
 
I grew up using a buck saw and I still prefer them for their rigidity and ability to use them double handled. For extended trips I like to bring my trailblazer take down saw. It disassembles into the handle and cut wood nicely.

trailblazer-1.jpg


The main issue with it is that assembly and disassembly is a bit of a trick and takes about 2 minutes to do compared to a standard folding saw.
 
I agree on your philosphy/experience Kev. For shorter trips or places I know we can't make a fire (stinking Texas burn bans!), I usually just go with my Kershaw/Bahco or one of my smaller Silky's. For more backcountry trips or where I know I'm going to build fires for cooking and such I really like my Sawvivor and it's been pretty handy, light and compact...I can easily get up to 6-7" diameter logs cut up quickly.

saws.jpg


Most of the time though or at least more recently, I've been packing my Silky or Kershaw.

ROCK6
 
k_estela said:
I use my folding and take-down saws all the time. I find it to be essential gear for the woodsman. I've owned folding saws and take-down saws of every size and shape. I prefer sawing to chopping as it doesn't waste as much wood as hacking through a piece of wood and it is much safer when fatigued. It also makes the prepping of wood for splitting a cinch.

While saws make the woodsman's life easier, they are not all created the same and some are better suited for extended use than others. Here is one quick observation I want to throw out to generate thought and discussion. Hopefully this thread will expand on itself and become one of the "go to" threads for the sawyer.

Folding vs. Take-Down Saws and Fatigue

My Bahco Laplander saw unfolds and locks in place much like a large pocket knife. My Sven Saw is assembled and taken down utilizing a few parts. Each is an excellent tool and well-suited for woods use. However, I personally find my Bahco a better choice for the occasional cutting task and the Sven a saw for longer durations. Why? Grip angle and ergonomics.

Holding a folding saw puts a lot of stress on the wrist. It bends it out of alignment with the rest of the arm and weakens it. Think of throwing a punch. What angle is your wrist held? It certainly is not bent and the wrist is as straight as an arrow. Now consider the alignment of a take-down saw. The wrist is straight and the arm is pushed and pulled in a manner that mirrors the movement of a good stiff punch.

For this reason, I tend to carry my Bahco for light tasks and a Sven Saw or full-sized bow saw for extended cutting. I also don't rely on my SAK saw for any lengthy cutting.

Hope this quick write up on grip angle when sawing helps steer you guys and gals towards the correct saw choice.
Click to expand...
....I have to agree completely Kevin. I have the exact same two that you use, a Bahco and Sven; the Bahco typically sees yard and garden duty, and the Sven rides in the backpack for overnights. Both VERY effective and handy tools.

- regards
 
I am a huge fan of the Spyderco brand, and as such purchased one of their folding saws to add to my collection. It's a lightweight tool and very effective for a folder; the folks at Golden did a nice job designing it and having the design well-executed in Seki City.

I also like the Victorinox saws; both of these can handle a surprisingly wide range of chores around the campsite will keeping weight and bulk to a minimum. They're not excellent tools for every job, but they are good at what I notice to be an increasingly widening range of jobs.

:thumbup:
 
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